Doug Ford needs to stop the delays and bring in a vaccine passport – Time for Conservative politicians to step up to finish the fight against COVID-19

Statement by Yasir Naqvi, Liberal candidate for Ottawa Centre:

Throughout this pandemic, Canadians have stepped up to protect themselves, their families, and their communities – and their sacrifices have not been small. Birthdays spent over video calls and celebrations spent at much smaller tables; weddings delayed and loved ones we didn’t get to say goodbye to. While incredibly and unspeakably difficult, these sacrifices have saved lives.

Now, Canadians deserve to see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel. They need their leaders to take every step necessary to bring us to brighter days.

At every step, our federal Liberal government has been there, with 8 out of every 10 dollars spent to fight the COVID-19 pandemic coming from the federal government. And because of our decisive action, we are leading the world in vaccinations ‐ the best tool we have available to finish this fight.

Unfortunately, at every step, Canadians have seen Conservative politicians make choices that take us backward and make it harder to put this pandemic behind us once and for all.

Whether it was Jason Kenney deciding to eliminate mandatory isolation for people who had COVID-19, Doug Ford still refusing to bring in a vaccine passport, or Erin O’Toole refusing to support mandatory vaccination on planes and trains – let alone for his own candidates – far too many Conservative politicians have failed to show leadership when Canadians needed them to the most. And it’s Canadians who pay the price.

Now is not the time for the same half-measures Conservative politicians have been offering. Now is the time to act to finish the fight against COVID-19.

I am calling on Premier Doug Ford to do what’s right and what is absolutely necessary at this critical moment in the pandemic. Now is the time to give hope to all Ontarians that we will get through this. Premier Ford, please listen, show leadership, and bring in a vaccine passport now. The future of our province is at stake.

I am also calling on Erin O’Toole to finally show some leadership, support mandatory vaccination in planes and trains, insist that candidates get vaccinated, support vaccine passports, and stop taking public health advice from Conservative politicians instead of medical professionals.

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